At least 16 civilians were killed in Nigeria's northwestern Zamfara state after an airstrike by the military, which it said confused innocent citizens with criminal gangs.
According to citizen testimony, the victims were part of local groups that monitored security and were protected by armed gangs known for holding civilians hostage for ransom.
The airstrikes targeted militant gangs operating in the Zurmi and Maradun areas.
The army has accepted the airstrikes, stressing that the operation was aimed at delivering a decisive blow to the bandits who were terrorizing the villages in the area.
In recent years, criminal gangs, known as "thugs", have wreaked havoc in Nigeria, raiding villages, burning houses and carrying out murders and kidnappings for ransom.
These accidental airstrikes are not uncommon, including another attack on Christmas in Sokoto state, which killed at least 10 civilians. (A2 Televizion)
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